A post from another blogger describing an experience in Berlin last year--confusion about the ticketing system in German rail stations, and riding free as a result--reminded me of a similar experience I had in Stuttgart a few months ago, in which I was not as lucky as he and his companions. This is an excerpt from my journal.
May 12, 2005--I discovered it is very risky to travel without a train ticket. Two times in six years, I’d been checked by the nondescript men who haunt Germany’s public transport system. Not a bad average, when you think about it. They look like average joes, but are really big fat sneaks hiding hand-held databases/ticket machines in briefcases, looking for ticketless victims to embarrass and fine--and even kick off the train.
Happily, I had a ticket both times.
Now, after leaving the big city and returning six months later, I was checked two more times in the last two weeks, and again, I had tickets on me.
It was a stroke of luck, really, because yesterday I dared to travel free.
It wasn’t the first time I’ve freeloaded on the S-Bahn, the U-Bahn or the buses of Stuttgart. Not by far. Especially in the last two weeks since I’ve been back here. I’m not cheap. It’s just that 1.65 € each way really adds up when you’re always on the go, and my money was going very quickly. However, my luck ran out yesterday, and I finally got caught.
I felt very humbled getting caught out! The man who nabbed me said he’d only charge me 10 €, instead of the usual 40 €, because I was “nice”. In other words, I didn’t try to lie my way out of it. Also, he could see I was a foreigner because I was dragging along my suitcase (full of dirty laundry), and had only my passport and Illinois driver’s license for ID. And, of course, I had my son in tow. After he checked his carry-along database, he could see I had never been fined before, so that helped too.
The partner of my sneak didn’t look very happy about the discount, but The ticket he gave me in exchange for the 10 € enabled me to travel anywhere in all directions for two hours. That took care of that morning’s travel—and all the times I’d gone free during the last two weeks.
I made it home just as my time limit expired.
However, I’m now in the system as a one-time offender and I don’t expect anyone to be very merciful to me next time. That’s why I purchased a month’s pass this morning. Now, instead of paying a minimum of 3.30 € per day for one round trip, I am essentially paying 1.97€ per day for unlimited travel within two zones. That’s an excellent deal. Kinda worth the 10 € kick in the pants.
What took me so long to get the pass? Why did I tempt Fate, knowing I would eventually get caught freeloading? I don't know. I guess the Devil made me do it.
